Grading

Part of the grading process, for children, is the the pre-test. This is essentially a "dress rehearsal" of the actual grading. This has several advantages for students, instructors and parents.

It allows the instructor to determine if a student is adequately prepared for grading, and if not, to identify those areas that require additional work. In addition it allows the instructor to observe a student prior to grading so that mistakes attributable to nerves can be disqualified from the actual grading evaluation.

For the student, it is an opportunity to perform a practice of their grading, so that there is less nervousness at grading time and an increased likelihood of a successful grading.

For parents, it reduces the time you have to wait for your child since only those qualified students are present for the actual grading process.

Perhaps most importantly, the pre-test eliminates the disappointment and possible embarrassment that comes with grading in a group and being one of those that does not pass.

In support of this, advance notification will be made of grading dates, and a list of those who have passed the pre-test posted. Only those students who successfully pass the pre-test prior to the actual grading date will be eligible for grading.

Belt Levels

The Canadian Centre for Grappling Arts utilizes seven belt levels in the evaluation of acquired skills, with a beginner belt being white and the highest belt being a black belt.

New students are given a white belt and they progress through yellow, orange, green, blue, brown and finally black belt. Within each belt level are two and possibly three intermediate steps on the way to the next belt.

Normally, a student after attaining a specific belt level will strive to obtain first one, two, and for Green belts and higher, three stripes before obtaining the next highest belt. In certain situations a student may be awarded a third or fourth stripe before receiving their next belt. ( Please see criteria for advancement below )

At each intermediate (stripe) level a student must demonstrate a basic understanding of the techniques appropriate for that level.

This basic understanding must be a polished presentation of all techniques appropriate to the belt level to achieve the next highest belt.

Criteria for grading

The criteria for determining whether a student is ready for grading is an objective set of factors that focuses on the acquisition of knowledge and execution of technique.

Furthermore, the grading process is a means by which the student is evaluated with respect to their progress in learning the various techniques required to advance to the next higher level.

The following then are the circumstances that must be satisfied before a student can be considered eligible for evaluation and advancement to the next level.

Please note that the conditions are slightly different for the white belt level as opposed to all other belt levels and you are asked to note the difference in the time interval for grading.

Note: All belt level gradings will be scheduled every three months.There will be no other gradings performed outside of the scheduled ones, as it becomes very difficult to track those who are eligible for grading.

Criteria for Advancement

At regular intervals students are evaluated with respect to their progress. In order to attain the next level, a student must satisfy certain conditions including:

For a stripe: Basic understanding and demonstration of techniques. The Instructor may prompt student or offer hints on a technique. Normally two stripes must be obtained before testing for a belt is possible. On occasion a third stripe may be awarded in lieu of a belt ( see For a belt
below ).
For a belt: Unprompted polished execution of all techniques relevant to the level being tested for. The instructor will not prompt a student or offer any hints, however, upon successful execution of a technique, the instructor may offer tips to make the technique more effective.
Note: Having obtained two stripes at a specific belt level, if a student still requires prompting or is not proficient in the execution of the techniques, a third stripe will be awarded and the student will re-test for the belt at the next grading session.
Grading Day Schedule

The schedule will be updated as we get students in belt categories above green, but for the time being, the grading schedule will be as follows:

10:00 Warm up

10:30 White belts/White belts with two stripes. Yellow belts and Yellow belts with two stripes

11:00 White belts with two stripes cont’d./White belts with one stripe. Yellow belts with two stripes cont’d/Yellow belts with one stripe

12:00 Orange belts/Orange belts with two stripes. Green belts/Green belts with two stripes

12:30 Orange belts with two stripes cont’d./Orange belts with one stripe. Green belts with two stripes cont’d/Green belts with one stripe.

Please keep the date and time schedules for your reference.